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Kintyre

“Young and old gotta do ‘im togther- old people gotta learn the young fellas about that place. Country. Martumili (belonging to Martu).”

 – Wokka Taylor

Produced to be a part of FORM’s Tracks We Share project, Martu artists embarked the creation of a large-scale collaborative painting depicting the Country and stories of Kintyre. Martu filmmaker and FORM project officer Curtis Taylor, FORM project officer Greg Taylor/Annie McLoughlin and Martumili staff and artists travelled to Parnngurr to attend an intense period of art making and conversation. Under the tutelage and direction from their elders, young artists laid the groundwork for the painting, with elders adding layers of details and knowledge to these foundations. Created by 23 artists over 18 months, the resulting artwork brings together stories of jukurrpa (dreaming), pre-colonial Martu life, personal histories, and contemporary mining interference with the important site of Kintyre, located within the heart of Martu Country- Karlamilyi national park.

Martu artists were part of the Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corporation (WDLAC) 2021 AGM in Newman and unveiled the 5x3metre collaborative ‘Kintyre’ artwork to Martu Native Title holders and their families.  This was part of the Martu discussion about making a native title claim over Karlamilyi National park. Martu used the ‘Kintyre’ artwork to tell stories of great cultural importance and personal significance about this ngurra (Country, homeland), and to tell WDLAC to keep going with its work on getting this country back into Martu hands. The following day, Martu Elders and leaders showed and explained the ‘Kintyre’ work to WA Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Hon Stephen Dawson.  Martu and WDLAC signed a shared statement of intent with the Minister, binding the Government and Martu to work together for Martu native title over Karlamilyi, as well as housing and community development reforms for Punmu, Kunawarritji and Parnngurr.

Kintyre is a claypan located just north of the Karlamilyi (Rudall River) region. During the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era, the site was a popular camping ground in the wantajarra (wet season), when the claypan filled with kapi (water). Today Kintyre is best known for its substantial uranium deposits, and the area has been developed for mining. Protest from traditional land owners in combination with a declining uranium market have resulted in the project being put on hold for the time being.

 

Categories: Shire of East Pilbara (Martumili Artists)

Name: Muuki Taylor

Language: Manyjilyjarra

Community: Parnngurr

Biography:

“Long ago we were living [a pujiman lifestyle]. Our people took us about and grew us up. We stayed around in the north and grew up around Punmu… and along the lake [Nyayartakujarra, Lake Dora] to Karlamilyi. We would [hunt] animals… eat kalaru (salt bush, samphire) seeds, [witchetty] grubs… [and] minta (botanical gum). 

We would see aeroplanes, then we would run and keep quiet in the bushes. We didn’t know what it was. We had never seen a whiteman… We stayed there, where there were no whitemen. We didn’t see any motorcars. Nothing… Then Aborigines and whitemen got us and took us to Jigalong.” 

- Muuki Taylor

 

Muuki was born around 1945 at Wayinkurangu, a soak located within the Percival Lakes region of the Great Sandy Desert. He is the eldest brother of fellow Martumili Artists Wokka Taylor (dec.) and Ngalangka Nola Taylor. In his youth Muuki’s family travelled hundreds of kilometres on foot, from the northern boundary of the Martu homelands through to Parrngurr, at the southern end of the Karlamily (Rudall River) region. They continued to live a pujiman (traditional, desert dweliing) lifestyle until being collected from Balfour Downs Station and taken to Jigalong Mission in the 1960s. They were one of the last Martu families to leave the desert. 

Muuki is a highly respected cultural leader, and is often called upon as an authority by other artists. In addition to painting with Martumili Artists, Muuki works as a senior cultural advisor for local Martu ranger group, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa, where he provides invaluable advice and guidance.

Muuki paints his ngurra (home Country, camp) in the north of Martu Country, with a particular focus on Kulyakartu; flat, grass Country close to the Percival Lakes. He spent much time in this area in his youth, and has incredibly in depth knowledge of its resources, physical elements, seasonal life cycles and Jukurrpa (Dreaming) narratives. His works are encyclopaedic, detailing all aspects of Country from vanished roads to living water sources embedded within a subtle patina composed of hovering dots and brushstrokes. Muuki’s work has been exhibited widely across Australia and internationally, and acquired by the National Museum of Australia.

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